New Design Philosophy

Here is the new design philosophy that I came up with:

Design is a journey, as much about the process as the end result. I am most compelled by exploring new inspirations and discovering worlds I’ve never before experienced, such as African-American Art and Delftware pottery. As I sketch my designs, a story unfolds about the wearer of the garments. This leads to a more in-depth personalization of my designs inspired to fit my character’s personality. This could be reflected in anything from the textile pattern to the curve of a lapel. My designs are often simple silhouettes with quirky details, but sometimes my characters lead me to be extravagant.

It may need some more tweaking.

Delftwear Dish

I was just fiddling around in photoshop with some Delftware images I had googled and I came up with this. It would be kind of a logo for my Delftwear collection for Collections. In .psd format I have it saved so that there is no white background and it is transparent instead, so you just see the plate. I thought I might be able to incorporate this into my portfolio.

Leave-behind

This is for my leave-behind. I was just going to do a simple postcard-type deal. The front has a picture of an antique map and the back has my name, an image of Madame de Pompadour, and my favorite quote by Juan Ramon Jimenez: "If they give you ruled paper, write the other way." I think this quote can be considered relevant in the fashion world, because sometimes the rules of fashion need to be bended so that their can be innovation and excitement in the fashion world.

Postcard Front

Postcard Back

The postcards also match my business card and intro page, which use the same images, fonts, colors, etc.

Intro/Theme page...

I used the same map from my business card in my intro/theme page for my portfolio. All I did was cut out the circled parts because I thought it look nicer that way. I think the Edwardian script font goes well with the antique map. I pulled the colors for the font and the background directly from the map. For some reason when I saved it as a jpeg to be uploaded on to the blog it got a little pixelated, but it doesn't look that way in the .psd format. Commments welcome.

Business Card Mock-up

I've been working on some business card mock-ups and this is just an example of one that I liked. I've been having some trouble with VistaPrint because it pretty much mutilates any picture I upload, but I think it has something to do with the resolution. Well here is my first mock-up:

I took out some of my information and replaced it with a fake address and phone number just for now on the blog. I chose the antique map as my sort of "icon" because I've just always loved old maps and I feel it shows my love of history as well as culture. I like to incorporate both of these aspects into fashion when I can, what with my Dutch pottery-inspired Delftwear collection and my last garment that I did for Draping class, which was based on Hellenistic Greek/Egyptian fashion and the designs of Madame Gres. I'm hoping that with the lighter rectangle in the center that it doesn't look too busy. I'm also wondering if I should maybe include a little portrait or fashion plate in the empty space to incorporate more fashion/costume into it, or if I should just leave well enough alone. Below is an example shown with a portrait of Madame de Pompadour (mistress of Louis XIV, King of France) inserted to fill the empty space. Tell me your thoughts.

Resume

Erin am Ende

eeamende@udel.edu

Job Objective: To find a position in the field of costume design.

Education:

University of Delaware, Newark, DE (Fall 2005 to Fall 2009)
· Majors: Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising
· Current G.P.A. of 3.507

Study Abroad
· Paris American Academy in Paris, France (Winter 2008)

Undergraduate Research
· 2007 College of Human Services, Education & Public Policy Scholar- featured article in University of Delaware “Messenger” Alumni Magazine (September 2007) (http://www.udel.edu/PR/Messenger/06/03/studentresearch.html)

Skills:

· Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
· Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Work Experience:

· Joann’s Superstore- Cutting Counter Associate & Craft Demonstrator

(Summer 2008 to Present)
· University of Delaware Historical Costume Collection- Costume Collection Assistant (Spring 2008)
· University of Delaware- Teaching Assistant for Apparel Product Analysis
(Fall 2006 to Fall 2007)
· Acme Markets- Cashier & Bakery Associate
(Spring 2005 to Summer 2006)

Costuming Experience:

· Costume Designer- “No Exit” (Fall 2006)
· Costume Designer- “Short Attention Span Theatre III” (Spring 2007)
· Costume Designer- “Short Attention Span Theatre V” (Fall 2008)

Activities/Honors:

· Active Member of the E-52 Student Theatre Group
· Selected as University of Delaware Woman of Promise (2006 and 2007)
· Decision Days Student Panelist (Spring 2007, Summer 2007, Spring 2008)
· 2007 Summer Faculty Institute “Teaching and Learning with Multimedia Assignments” Student Panelist (Summer 2007)

My Mind's Eye View

This is the collection I've been working on for "My Mind's Eye View" for the future of fashion. I have sketches as well, but my scanner is acting up.

Design Philosophy

My designs tend to be more simplistic with quirky details: a juxtaposition of textures, an interesting pocket, an unusual style line. I get the creative juices flowing by flipping through magazines, surfing the internet, and sitting down outside cafes to people watch. I imagine my target woman and then I sketch. One design branches out into a web of related designs. This is how my process began for this project.

Target Market

A woman in her late 20s to early 30s, she is of middle income and works as a secretary or an assistant from 9-5. Because of her small disposable income she wants outfits that work for a multitude or occasions. She needs looks that can travel from work to a night out on the town with little fuss. She likes cotton for its easy-care and comfort. To jazz up the look of cotton, she likes to combine differing textures. She has a busy life and is involved in her community, organizing fundraisers for charities like Dress for Success. Her favorite activities include reading a good book at the local café, watching foreign films with her steady boyfriend, and eating out at exotic restaurants with her girlfriends.

Design Concept

Cotton has always been a crowd-favorite because of its easy –care and comfort. I think this attitude towards fabric will continue in the future of fashion. As more consumers become socially aware, they’ll want their cotton to be grown and processed in a sustainable, socially responsible way. This would be through organic farming, natural dyes, etc. As more farmers switch to organic family, more and more organic cotton will become available on the market and at a more affordable cost. Woman will want to jazz up the look of plain cotton by incorporating texture into the fabrics. Brushed denim, velveteen, sateen, voile, and chenille will be some popular fabrics. Interchangeable pieces and looks that can be transferred from day to evening will be key. It is both more affordable and sustainable, because woman will buy fewer clothes but remain fashionable. The lives of women also continue to get busier and busier. With my collection they can move from day to evening a lot more easily.

Flat group #1 shows a sateen strapless cocktail dress with a chenille band and a voile sheer top to go underneath:

Flat grouping #2 shows a very structured sateen strapless dress with a cozy chenille sweater/cardigan to go over top during the day. It would ideally be belted at the waist.

Flat grouping #3 shows a velveteen shrug, a sateen strapless bustier, and brushed denim trouser cut pants.Keep checking back for updates!

Catherine Zeta-Jones

For my first project in my Draping class, we had to take inspiration from a celebrity and make a red carpet look for them. I chose Catherine Zeta-Jones because I have long thought of her as the epitome of Hollywood beauty and glamor. I researched her style and got to sketching and this is what I came up with:

I played with texture by using both sides of a crepe back satin.

"A Touch of Midas Gold"

The following dress was inspired by an exhibit at the FIT museum: Madame Gres "Sphinx of Fashion". I wanted to focus on her attention to Greco-Roman design and it was very interesting researching before the actual creation of the dress. My project was entitled "A Touch of Midas Gold" which references the Greek Myth of King Midas, who's very touch can turn anything into gold. My dress, and the other dresses in the collection I designed, include rings of gold bias-cut satin. Close-up of Front

Entire Front of Dress

"Cappucino Break"

The following is a project that I worked on for my flat pattern design class. The goal was to design a cohesive collection of jackets and skirts, and finally create one ensemble. The following are pictures of the jacket I made for the class.

My Target Market:

"This collection will appeal to the woman who likes to indulge in a daily cappuccino. She can spend hours in a café reading a classic novel or just people-watching as long as she has that cup of coffee. She enjoys poetry and art and works at a bookstore or in an art gallery. She lives in the city and enjoys the culture that comes with that lifestyle. She is in her 20s or 30s, but carries a maturity beyond her years. She likes to wear rich, warm colors, just like she likes rich, warm coffee."

My Presentation Board

Front of Jacket

Back of Jacket

Pocket Detail

Lining

The jacket was made out of a silk slub tweed with brown linen piping. The matching skirt (not pictured) has an a-line cut and is made of red linen with brown linen piping and decorative yellow stitching. I was inspired while sketching and drinking a deliciously warm cappucino.

Self-Made Contract

Technical Design Strengths:

• Flat Pattern Design
• Very research-oriented
• Good Organization
• Command of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

Creative Design Strengths:

• Expanding small inspirations into complete collections (ex. Transforming a good cup of coffee into a collection theme)
• Influenced by historical costume
• Textile Design (see "Weary Blues" post)

Job Objective:

Costume Shop Management.

• To assist costume designers' artistic vision and apply my technical and creative design skills, learned through earning a degree in Apparel Design as well as my experience in costuming for Student Theatre.
• To use my knowledge of costume history to design, create, and style historically accurate garments for use in theatrical productions.
• To use organizational and leadership skills to oversee production of theatrical costumes and conservation of a well-kept costume shop.
• To provide guidance and knowledge to students interested in the field of Costuming.

My objectives were informed by the following job description for a Costume Shop Manger position at Brown University:

"The Costume Shop Manager will manage the costume shop and ensure efficient operations, implement and support the artistic vision of the designers and the director, supervise the Costume Shop Assistant and oversee their supervision of student workers. The position will also identify and coordinate the efforts of necessary contractors in the construction of costumes and related crafts, oversee costume construction, rental/lending of costume shop inventory holdings and rentals/borrowing for departmental productions as well as manage and develop the costume shop's collection of vintage and antique clothing. This position will also mentor students interested in costuming/costume construction and related crafts."

"The Weary Blues"

The summer after my sophomore year I embarked on an undergraduate research project. Through it I designed a textile print based on a print in UD's Paul R. Jones African-American Art collection. It was Phoebe Beasley's "The Weary Blues". I created a textile design using motifs from the print and then designed a dress as a means of displaying the design. My resulting dress looked like this:

I wanted it to be something flirty that could be worn to a smoky nightclub for Blues dancing. I think I achieved this aesthetic.

Here is an image of the poster I made to present with it:

I was also featured in the UD Alumni magazine, "The Messenger": http://www.udel.edu/PR/Messenger/06/03/studentresearch.html

My Design Philosophy

My Design Philosophy

I've been studying to be a designer since 2005, but have held an interest in sewing all of my life. I combine both draping and tailoring, with my strengths being in flat pattern design. It all starts with my inspiration: an actress, a book, a painting, anything. I turn that into a sketch, which I then expand into many sketches, mixing and matching the ideas that work. From there I work on Illustrator and digitize my drawings, working out all of the technical details. Finally I set to work on my design, tweeking what needs to be tweeked until I'm left with a beautiful final product.

Aesthetically my designs tend to be simple with quirky details: an interesting pocket, embellishment, style line, etc. to catch the eye. I love colors of all kinds, and that often drives my designs. I can be inspired by things like a good cup of coffee or a textile print and I often come up with elaborate stories about the person I envision wearing my design. I sketch best in cafes with the low noise, calming music, and the opportunity to people watch. They know my order at several coffeehouses.

I've been working towards a degree in Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising for over 3 years. This has led me to many opportunities including undergraduate research, being a teachinig assistant, and working in a Costume Collection. Being on campus has also led me to become involved in a student theatre organization called E-52, where I have costumed several shows (my favorite being "No Exit" by Jean Paul Sartre), as well as assistant directing.

Outside of class I work at a JoAnn Fabrics Superstore. I work at the cutting counter and assist customers with their fabric and trim purchases, often answering questions to help them with their projects. On Saturdays I do in-store craft demonstrations on various crafts including sculpey clay, jewelry making, cricut, painting, stenciling, sewing, etc.

Besides designing, I know how to use Microsoft Word and Powerpoint and I have a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel. I have also taken a class in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and have used them in many projects.

In five years, I picture myself doing one of a number of things. I might be costuming for a theatre. I have always had a passion for the performing arts and would like to marry my two loves of fashion and theatre into a career. I might be selling my designs online and to local boutiques. It would be so rewarding to run into someone on the street wearing my design. I could then see if she matched up with the vision I had created in my head. Or I could be working as a visual merchandiser, arranging eyecatching layouts to grab customers into a store.